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CU System

CU System briefs (10/12/2009)

* SPRING, Texas (10/13/09)--A former intern at Investex CU's Spring, Texas, branch was sentenced Friday to more than 13 years in prison for helping shotgun-wielding men rob the credit union twice within three months last year. Dorcell Devon Johnson, 19, pleaded guilty to aggravated bank robbery and aiding the brandishing of a firearm during a robbery. In November 2008, the credit union was robbed of $202,250. In August of 2008, robbers took $126,750 during a heist in which they pretended to take Johnson hostage. Police became suspicious when he appeared unafraid on surveillance tapes of the earlier robbery. Co-defendants Dominique Sherrard Ervin, 20, and Carl Edward Preston Jr., 19, both of Houston, also pleaded guilty. Preston was sentenced to about 13 years in prison while Ervin was sentenced to 16 1/2 years (Houston Chronicle) … * YAKIMA, Wash. (10/13/09)--The Washington Credit Union League has named Paula Slaye chairman of the Washington Credit Union Foundation. Slaye is chief financial officer of Catholic CU in Yakima. Slaye has served on the foundation’s board of trustees for the past seven years in several positions, including treasurer, grants committee chairman and vice chairman (Yakima Herald Republic Oct. 12) … * St. Louis (10/13/09)-- More than a dozen Missouri credit union representatives met with State Rep. Jake Zimmerman (D-83) at St. Louis Community CU Oct. 7, according to the Missouri Credit Union Association (The Missouri difference Oct. 9). He discussed matters that affect credit unions and their members, and highlighted the primary advantage credit unions have over other financial institutions. "Credit unions benefit from serving their members," Zimmerman said. "When you can actually deliver credit union members into a legislative office, that's when you get the point across--with human beings." When St. Louis Community CU President Patrick Adams asked why Zimmerman supports credit unions, Zimmerman responded that credit unions look out for the little guy, just like he does. Pictured are, from left, Adams, Zimmerman, and Mike O'Brien, St. Louis Community CU senior vice president and chief marketing officer. (Photo provided by the Missouri Credit Union Association) …